Update: North Rim Fires, September 3, 2011

Fire Start Reported on North Rim of Grand Canyon
Date: July 7, 2011
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958


Grand Canyon, Ariz. – On Monday, July 4, at approximately 6 p.m., North Zone fire managers received a report of a new fire start in the vicinity of Point Sublime on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The fire was reported by the Red Butte fire lookout.

The Point Fire is located approximately 10 miles due west of the North Rim developed area in the vicinity of Walla Valley and Point Sublime. It is approximately 12 acres in size, is currently exhibiting creeping and smoldering fire behavior, and is burning in ponderosa pine and occasional small patches of mixed conifer.

With the robust onset of monsoon season, and the cooler temperatures of the North Rim’s higher elevations, fire managers are evaluating whether the Point Fire could be managed to achieve multiple objectives, including resource and protection objectives.

The Point Fire is a naturally occurring point source ignition within the previously identified Walla Valley burn unit which, if conditions prove to be appropriate, could make it an excellent candidate to be managed for resource objectives. The resource objectives would include reducing accumulations of hazardous fuels and maintaining fire in a fire adapted ecosystem.

This lightning-caused fire is currently in monitor status as fire managers evaluate potential strategies for managing the fire. Currently, one engine crew and one hand crew are monitoring the fire’s behavior, observing its effects and ensuring that the fire remains above the rim where it can more readily be contained if managers determine that current and predicted fuel and weather conditions would not produce the desired fire effects.

Smoke from the Point Fire will most likely be visible from the South Rim and may also be visible from US Highway 67 and the North Entrance Station. Coordination with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is already ongoing.

Point Fire Update, Friday, July 15
Date: July 15, 2011
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – A brief lull in monsoonal rain patterns has led to increased growth on the Point Fire, located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

The fire, located approximately 10 miles due west of the North Rim developed area in the vicinity of Point Sublime and Walla Valley, is approximately 75 acres in size and is burning in ponderosa pine and occasional small patches of mixed conifer. Although small portions of this area have not experienced fire in recent history, the majority of the Walla Valley/Point Sublime area last experienced fire in 2001 during the Tower Fire, and in 2004 during the Grama Fire.

Recent precipitation, higher humidity and increased fuel moisture have significantly decreased fire danger in northern Arizona; and fire managers have decided to manage the lightning-caused Point Fire to achieve multiple objectives, including resource and protection objectives. Resource objectives for the fire include maintaining fire in a fire-adapted ecosystem, reducing hazardous accumulations of forest fuels and recycling of forest nutrients. Protection objectives for the fire include protection of natural and cultural resources.

Due to the fire’s proximity to the Point Sublime Road (also known as the w4 road), park managers have decided to close the road in order assure firefighter and visitor safety. The Point Sublime Road will be closed until further notice from its junction with the w1 road, out to and including Point Sublime.

Smoke from the Point Fire is expected to be visible from the South Rim and may also be visible from US Highway 67 and the North Rim entrance station. Coordination with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is ongoing.

Update: Point Fire, July 18
Date: July 18, 2011
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – Drier weather over the weekend led to increased fire activity and moderate growth on the Point Fire, located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

With the onset of monsoonal weather patterns and the resulting higher humidity and increased fuel moisture, fire managers decided to manage the lightning-caused Point Fire to achieve multiple objectives, including resource and protection objectives. The fire is now estimated at 235 acres in size and continues to exhibit primarily creeping and smoldering behavior in ponderosa pine and occasional small patches of mixed conifer.

Fire Facts:

Start Date: July 4, 2011

Location: Approximately 10 miles west of the North Rim developed area in the vicinity of Walla Valley and Point Sublime. The North Rim sits at approximately 8,000 feet in elevation.

Size: 235 acres

Management Objectives: The Point Fire is being managed to achieve multiple objectives. Resource objectives for the fire include maintaining fire in a fire-adapted ecosystem, reducing hazardous accumulations of forest fuels and recycling of forest nutrients. Protection objectives for the fire include protection of natural and cultural resources.

Closures: Park managers have closed the Point Sublime Road (also known as the w4 road) in order to assure firefighter and visitor safety. The road is closed until further notice from its junction with the w1 road, out to and including Point Sublime.

Smoke impacts: Precipitation is predicted for the next few days and should decrease the amount of smoke produced by the fire. Smoke from the Point Fire is expected to be visible from US Highway 64 as far south as Valle, South Rim viewpoints, the Rim Trail, US Highway 67, the North Rim entrance station and some North Rim viewpoints. Coordination with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is ongoing.

You can view pictures and maps of the fire and follow its progress on InciWeb at http://inciweb.org/incident/2408/. For more on Grand Canyon’s Fire Management program, please visit us on the web at http://www.nps.gov/grca/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm.

Update: Point Fire, July 21
Date: July 21, 2011
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – The Point Fire, located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, exhibited little growth early in the week due to a period of higher humidity and cooler temperatures. The forecast for the weekend calls for drier, warmer conditions which are expected to increase the fire’s activity and lead, once again, to growth on the fire.

The lightning-caused Point Fire continues to be managed to achieve multiple objectives, including resource and protection objectives. The fire is estimated at 245 acres in size and continues to slowly burn, with flame lengths ranging from six to eighteen inches, in ponderosa pine and occasional small patches of mixed conifer.

Update: Point Fire, July 26
Date: July 26, 2011
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – A warm and dry weekend has led to moderate growth on the Point Fire as it continues to achieve objectives on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Over the last few days, flame lengths have ranged from one to three feet with occasional torching of snags and dense groups of trees. The Point Fire is currently estimated at 975 acres in size.

Today, monsoon rains returned to Northern Arizona, decreasing fire activity and slowing the growth of the Point Fire. A chance of showers lingers in the forecast through the end of the week. Fire managers expect a return to smoldering and creeping fire behavior as long as the cool, moist weather continues, and a gradual increase to more moderate fire behavior if the predicted showers do not materialize.

The lightning-caused Point Fire continues to burn in ponderosa pine and occasional small patches of mixed conifer. It is being managed to achieve multiple objectives, including resource and protection objections.

Update: Point Fire, August 1Date: August 1, 2011
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – A week of cool, moist weather conditions and occasional rainfall have led to minimal growth on the Point Fire which is now estimated at 1,049 acres in size.

The lightning-caused Point Fire, located on the North Rim, is creeping and smoldering in ponderosa pine and occasional small patches of mixed conifer. Due to the significantly reduced fire activity, the fire has been placed in monitor status and the number of personnel managing the fire has been reduced until conditions dry out and fire activity once again increases. Current weather forecasts call for cool, moist conditions through at least mid-week.

The Point Fire continues to be managed for multiple objectives, including resource and protection objections.


Fire Facts:

Start Date: July 4, 2011

Location: Approximately 10 miles west of the North Rim developed area in the vicinity of Walla Valley and Point Sublime. The North Rim sits at approximately 8,000 feet in elevation.

Size: approximately 1,049 acres

Management Objectives: The Point Fire is being managed to achieve multiple objectives:

• Resource objectives for the fire include maintaining fire in a fire-adapted ecosystem, reducing hazardous accumulations of forest fuels and recycling of forest nutrients.
• Protection objectives for the fire include protection of sensitive cultural resources and critical wildlife habitat areas.

Closures: In order to assure firefighter and visitor safety, the Point Sublime Road (also known as the w4 road) is closed until further notice from its junction with the w1 road, out to and including Point Sublime.

Smoke impacts: During periods of increased activity, smoke from the Point Fire is visible from US Highway 64 as far south as Valle, South Rim viewpoints, the Rim Trail, US Highway 67, the North Rim entrance station and some North Rim viewpoints. Coordination with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is ongoing.

You can follow the progress of the Point Fire as well as view maps and pictures of the fire on InciWeb at http://inciweb.org/incident/2408/. For more on Grand Canyon’s Fire Management program, please visit us on the web at http://www.nps.gov/grca/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm.

Update: North Rim Fires, August 8
Date: August 8, 2011
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – The Point Fire experienced slow growth this weekend as warmer, drier weather moved into the area; and on Wednesday, August 3, the Tipover Fire was discovered due north of the Point Fire, near the park/forest boundary, and is now being managed for both resource and protection objectives.

Conditions Monday through Thursday of last week were cool and moist with periodic, lightning-filled thunderstorms passing through the area. During this time frame, the Point Fire experienced little growth. A drying trend over the weekend then led to slow growth on the fire, which exhibited primarily backing behavior and average flame lengths of six to eighteen inches.

The lightning-caused Tipover Fire is currently less than two acres in size and is burning in ponderosa pine and mixed conifer approximately six miles north of the Point Fire, five miles west of Highway 67 and ten miles northwest of the North Rim developed area. The fire is being managed for multiple objectives, including returning fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem and reducing hazardous accumulations of forest fuels. At this time, the fire is in monitor status with minimal staffing due to extremely light fire activity.

A somewhat warmer and drier weather pattern is predicted over the next week with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms remaining in the forecast for most of the week. As conditions warm and dry, slow to moderate growth can be expected on both fires.

Update: North Rim Fires, August 12, 2011
Date: August 12, 2011
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, Arizona-The Point Fire experienced moderate low-intensity growth this week due to a warmer and dryer weather trend with occasional cloud cover. The Tipover Fire, discovered August 3, also experienced minimal low-intensity growth. A third fire, the Over Fire, was discovered August 9, approximately one half mile south of the Tipover Fire. Minimal fire growth was observed on the Over Fire this week. All three fires are now being managed by a single Type 3 incident management organization.

The Point, Tipover and Over fires were naturally ignited by lightning and are being managed for multiple objectives, including returning fire to fire-dependent ecosystem and reducing hazardous accumulations of forest fuels in a low intensity fashion that minimizes fire severity. All three fires are staffed with fire managers monitoring fire effects and growth potential. The weather predictions are for a continued drying and warming trend for the next several days with a chance of scattered thunderstorms. With this weather pattern, additional fire growth is anticipated.

Update: North Rim Fires, August 15, 2011
Date: August 15, 2011
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, Arizona - Over the weekend, sporadic rain showers and overcast skies raised humidity levels and kept fire activity on the Point Fire at a minimal level. The fire grew by approximately 400 acres between Friday and Sunday, bringing the total fire size to about 2,000 acres. Light smoke was visible from the North Rim developed area and other points around the park during the late afternoons and early evenings. Crews remain on site to monitor and patrol the Point Fire.

Two smaller, lightning-caused fires, the Tipover and the Over Fires, were contained this weekend. . The combined size of the two fires, located just south of the park boundary, was less than 30 acres. By Sunday evening, both fires were contained and crews were continuing mop-up operations.

This week, crews will continue to prepare management area boundaries for the Point Fire using mechanical thinning treatments. Fire managers also plan to burn piles of wood debris located adjacent to US Highway 67. The pile burning will cause some increased smoke during ignition operations.

Point Fire Facts:

• Start Date: July 4, 2011
• Location: Approximately 10 miles west of the North Rim developed area in the vicinity of Walla Valley and Point Sublime. The North Rim sits an elevation of approximately 8,000 feet above sea level.
• Size: 2,000 acres
• Fuels: Ponderosa Pine with occasional patches of mixed conifer

Management Objectives: The Point Fire is being managed to achieve multiple objectives.

• Resource objectives for the fire include maintaining fire in a fire-adapted ecosystem, reducing hazardous accumulations of forest fuels and recycling of forest nutrients.
• Protection objectives for the fire include protection of sensitive cultural resources and critical wildlife habitat areas.

Closures: In order to assure firefighter and visitor safety, the Point Sublime Road (also known as the W4 Road) is closed until further notice from its junction with the W1 Road, out to and including Point Sublime.

Smoke Impacts: During periods of increased fire activity, smoke from the Point Fire is visible from US Highway 64 as far south as Valle, South Rim viewpoints, the Rim Trail, US Highway 67, the North Rim entrance station and some North Rim viewpoints. Coordination with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is ongoing.


For additional information on the Point Fire, please contact Point Fire Information at
928-638-4033. For more on fire management in Grand Canyon National Park, please visit the park’s web site at http://www.nps.gov/grca/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm.

Update: North Rim Fires, August 22, 2011
Date: August 22, 2011
Contact: Point Fire Information, 928-638-4033
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

GrandCanyon, Arizona- During the past week, sporadic precipitation and cool temperatures slowed fire activity on the Point Fire. The fire continues to burn at a low intensity in Ponderosa pine forest near Point Sublime. The current size is estimated at 2,624 acres.

Crews have begun burn out operations on the W4 Road to create a fuel break north of the fire. Fire personnel have also secured historic sites and structures within the planned management area to prevent any adverse impacts. In order to safely manage the fire as it progresses, the park has now closed the W1 Road west of the Basin and south of the junction with the Swamp Ridge Road.

Crews will also continue to ignite piles of woody debris along Highway 67 south of the park entrance in order to safely remove accumulations of hazardous fuels gathered from a previous mechanical thinning treatment. Light smoke from the Point Fire and pile burning may be visible within the canyon during early morning and above the Walhalla Plateau during late afternoons.

Update: North Rim Fires, August 25, 2011
Date: August 25, 2011
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon Ariz. --Burnout operations along the W-4 and W-6 roads have been conducted in the late afternoon and evening hours for the past several days in order to contain the Point Fire within these boundaries. Late afternoon and evening burns help to decrease overall burn intensity. Due to the hours of operations and the lack of strong transport winds, moderate smoke has been settling into the Grand Canyon in the evening and early morning. The smoke in the Canyon then lifts and dissipates as temperatures rise during the day. These burnout operations are expected to be completed within the next several days, reducing smoke impacts in the Canyon. Light smoke will remain visible in and around the Canyon over the next several weeks as the Point Fire continues to burn. The current size of the ire is estimated to be 3,074 acres.

Warmer dryer weather with scattered isolated thunderstorms is predicted over the fire area. With these weather conditions, more active fire is anticipated. Crews continue to monitor and manage fire to insure low intensity burning for resource benefits. Crews are also burning piles along Highway 67 south of the Park boundary in order to safely remove accumulations of hazardous fuels gathered from previous mechanical thinning treatments.

Point Fire Facts:

Start Date: July 4, 2011

Location: Approximately 10 miles west of the North Rim developed area in the vicinity of Walla Valley and Point Sublime.

Fuels: Ponderosa Pine with occasional patches of mixed conifer and areas of grass and sage.

Management Objectives: The Point Fire is being managed to achieve multiple objectives:

″ Resource objectives for the Point Fire include maintaining fire in a fire dependant ecosystem, reducing hazardous accumulations of forest fuels and recycling of forest nutrients.

″ Objectives for the Point Fire include protection of sensitive cultural resources and critical wildlife habitat.

Closures: In order to assure visitor and firefighter safety, the W-4 Road, also known as the Point Sublime Road, is closed until further notice from its junction with the W-1 Road, out to and including Point Sublime. The W-1 Road is closed west of the Basin and south of the junction with the Swamp Ridge Road.

Smoke Impacts: During periods of increased fire activity, smoke from the Point Fire is visible from Highway 64 as far south as Valle, South Rim viewpoints, the Rim Trail, highway 67, the North rim entrance station and some North Rim viewpoints. Moderately heavy smoke has impacted the Canyon the past couple of mornings, but has lifted and dissipated as temperatures rise. Coordination with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is ongoing.

To follow the Point Fire's progress or to see photos and maps of the fire, please visit the fire's web site at http://inciweb.org/incident/2408/. To learn more about fire management in Grand Canyon National Park, please go to http://www.nps.gov/grca/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm.

Update: North Rim Fires, August 29, 2011
Date: August 29, 2011
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

GrandCanyon, AZ. --Burnout operations along the W-4 roadhave been completed, and pile burning along Highway 67 is finished.

Fuels will continue to burn within the PointFire until rainfall or snow extinguishes all flames. Light smoke may remainvisiblein and aroundtheCanyon over the next several weeks. The current sizeof the Point Fireis estimated to be 3,529 acres. The Point Sublime Road remains closed at this time.

Lightning from scattered isolated thunderstormshas resulted in some new fire starts, most of which have been contained or extinguished. The Woolsey Fire, which was discovered on August 27 near Point Imperial, is approximately 10 acres in size and is being monitored while fire managers assess whether or not the fire could be managed to achieve resource and protection objectives. This fire is not within the Point Complex.

Update: North Rim Fires, September 2, 2011
Date: September 2, 2011
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, Ariz. - Warmer, drier conditions have led to increased activity within the interior of the lightning-ignited Point Fire which is now approximately 3,600 acres. It is located approximately 10 miles west of the North Rim developed area in the vicinity of Walla Valley and Point Sublime. The North Rim sits at approximately 8,000 feet in elevation. One fire module and one engine continue to monitor the fire. The fire is creeping and smoldering in ponderosa pine and occasional small patches of mixed conifer and areas of grass and sage. The Point Fire continues to be managed for multiple objectives. Resource objectives for the fire include maintaining fire in a fire-adapted ecosystem, reducing hazardous accumulations of forest fuels and recycling of forest nutrients. Protection objectives for the fire include protection of sensitive cultural resources and critical wildlife habitat areas.

The lightning-ignited Woolsey Fire is now approximately 40 acres. It was discovered on August 27, near Point Imperial. The majority of fire activity is currently below the Rim of the Grand Canyon, burning in mixed conifer. Firefighters are monitoring the fire's growth. The Woolsey Fire is being managed for multiple objectives. Resource objectives for the fire include maintaining fire in a fire-adapted ecosystem, reducing hazardous accumulations of forest fuels and recycling of forest nutrients. Protection objectives for the fire include protection of sensitive cultural resources and critical wildlife habitat areas.

The lightning-ignited Bright Fire was discovered September 1, west of the Saddle Mountain Trailhead on the south side of the FS 610 Road; approximately 8 miles northeast of the North Rim developed area. It is approximately 10 acres. The fire is burning in dead and down logs, pine, spruce, and fir. The fire is burning through the dead and down logs, and occasional isolated and group tree torching in the understory has been observed. The Bright Fire is being suppressed. Protection objectives for the Bright Fire include perimeter control and protection of sensitive cultural resources and critical wildlife habitat areas. Three crews, 3 engines, and 1 medium helicopter will be assigned to the fire.

Smoke from these fires is visible from US Highway 64 as far south as Valle, South Rim viewpoints, the Rim Trail, US Highway 67, the North Rim entrance station and some North Rim viewpoints. Coordination with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is ongoing.

In order to assure firefighter and visitor safety, the Point Sublime Road (also known as the w4 road) is closed until further notice from its junction with the w1 road, out to and including Point Sublime.

You can follow the progress of these fires as well as view maps and pictures on InciWeb at http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2408/. For more on Grand Canyon's Fire Management program, please visit us on the web at http://www.nps.gov/grca/parkmgmt/firemanagement.htm.

Update: North Rim Fires, September 3, 2011
Date: September 3, 2011
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, Ariz. - Today, increased activity on the lightning-ignited Woolsey Fire resulted in temporary road and trail closures on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon near Point Imperial. The Point Imperial Road is temporarily closed from the Fuller Canyon "Y" to Point Imperial. The Ken Patrick Trail is also closed temporarily between the Cape Royal Road and Forest Service Road 610.

A smoke column was visible today as fire activity increased on the Woolsey Fire. To date, fire activity has been below the Rim. As of today, the fire is established above the Rim as well, burning in heavy dead and down logs in an area that burned previously during the 2000 Outlet Fire. Firefighters are checking the fire's spread while park managers assess whether or not the fire should continue to be managed to achieve resource and protection objectives.

The 3,650 acre, lightning-ignited Point Fire continues to be managed for resource and protection objectives. It is located approximately 10 miles west of the North Rim developed area in the vicinity of Walla Valley and Point Sublime. One fire module and one engine continue to monitor the fire. Fire behavior includes low intensity surface fire in ponderosa pine with occasional small patches of mixed conifer and areas of grass and sage. In order to assure firefighter and visitor safety, the Point Sublime Road (also known as the w4 road) remains closed until further notice from its junction with the w1 road, out to and including Point Sublime.

Firefighters are suppressing the 10 acre, lightning-ignited Bright Fire. It is locatedwest of the Saddle Mountain Trailhead on the south side of the FS 610 Road; approximately 8 miles northeast of the North Rim developed area Firefighters are securing and improving firelines. Interior heat continues; however there are no immediate threats to the fireline. Protection objectives for the Bright Fire include perimeter control and protection of sensitive cultural resources and critical wildlife habitat areas.

Smoke from these fires is visible from US Highway 64 as far south as Valle, South Rim viewpoints, the Rim Trail, US Highway 67, the North Rim entrance station and some North Rim viewpoints. Coordination with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is ongoing.

You can follow the progress of these fires as well as view maps and pictures on InciWeb at http://www.inciweb.org. For more on Grand Canyon's Fire Management program, please